One year later, HP is faster, more nimble and focused, CEO says

Dion Weisler tells CNBC the tech company for 2017 is focused on delighting customers in its printing and personal system businesses.

As HP celebrates its one-year anniversary as a stand-alone company, its CEO Dion Weisler told CNBC the tech company for 2017 is focused on delighting customers in its printing and personal system businesses.

The businessman said the company wants to support a broad range of customers, who require a diverse set of tasks, particularly in its personal computer business. In October, HP announced its fiscal 2017 outlook of $1.55 to $1.65 earnings per share and said it expects to return 50 percent to 75 percent of annual free cash flow to shareholders.

"We are confident in our strategy and believe it will continue to produce reliable returns and cash flow, while also enabling HP to invest in differentiated innovation and long-term growth," Weisler said in the financial outlook release.

The CEO's comments come as Apple recently announced a new lineup of lighter, slimmer MacBook Pros ahead of the holiday season. The laptop featured a display touchscreen strip and versatile ports, a step towards more wireless functionality.

Weisler said although many customers have an appetite for thinner personal computers, other consumers may ask for something different.

"People will choose their devices based on complexity of task," he said. "Some customers want that incredibly thin and light device, and we make those devices. We make two-in-ones, detachables, convertibles."

The CEO also added the company is working to stabilize its supplies business by the end of 2017. As of early afternoon trade Thursday, HP's stock is up more than 23 percent year to date.

CNBC

CNBC is the recognized world leader in business news, providing real-time financial market coverage and business information to nearly 800 million homes worldwide, with headquarters on 3 continents and 20 bureaus around the globe. Award-winning journalists provide content on TV as well as online - where cnbc.com is the #1 non-portal business and news website. Our goal is for our consumers to Capitalize on CNBC - to increase their knowledge and profit from it. We want to make them the smartest people in the room; keep them ahead of the curve; make them members of an elite club.
CNBC. First in Business Worldwide.